Waterproofing of fabrics



UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIcE.

HENRY CARMICHAEL, OF BRUNSIVIOK, MAINE.

WATERPROOFING OF FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 342,175, dated May 18, 1886.

Serial No. 181,762.

{No specimens.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY CARMIOHAEL, of Brunswick, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Improvement in \Vaterproofing of Fabrics; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to the waterproofing of woven or felted fabrics; and it consists of an improved process of treating such fabrics with linseed-oil or equivalent oils, hereinafter explained. The treatment of such fabrics with oil is well known; but so far as I am aware in the previous treatment of such fabrics the oil has been oxidized on the surface, and the surface film of oxidized oil formed in the beginning of the process excludes the air from the interior of the body of the cloth or felt and prevents the oxidation of the interior of the fabrics. Fabrics thus treated retain aleathery consistency and upon exposure to the elements are liable to become weal; and brittle. My process oxidizes the fibers throughout the body of the material uniformly and thoroughly.

l prepare the linseed-oil for the process by boiling it at a high temperature while exposed to the action of the air until its volatile constituents are driven off and it is reduced to such condition that when cool it is thick like treacle. Any suitable gum. may be added to the oil, if desired. Through the oil thus pre pared and heated to a temperature usually by rollers or scrapers, leaving only the oil in the capillary spaces in the fabric itself. The fabric is afterward exposed to a temperature lower than that of the soaking-bath, but still high enough for rapid chemical action. At a temperature of 280 Fahrenheit the chemical action becomes injurious and this temperature therefore is never exceeded. This completes the induration of the oil, and as it is heatedin the presence of the air the oil is oxidized and hardened throughout all the fibers of the fabric and the fibers thus thoroughly cemented together. Cloth or felt thus prepared may be coated upon its surface subsequently in any desired or well-known manner.

The article produced by this product resembles shavings of hard rubber or wood. It is elastic rather than pliable, but is quite flexible. 1t resists the action of heat and cold water and of all atmospheric agents, and with any suitable surfacing-such as paint, varnish, or the like-it may be used for roofing, coverings for carriages and cars, or any of the uses for which an elastic, durable, tenacious water-proof, and non-inflammable covering is required.

I claim as my invention The hereinbefore-described process of treat-- ing cloth or felt, consisting in saturating the fabric with prepared linseed or equivalent oil, then scraping or rolling to remove the exterior coating of oil, and finally subjecting the fabric to heat, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY GARMIGHAEL.

\Vitnesses: k

J. P. W'INCHELL, N. T. PALMER. 

